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MORE MIXED GLORY?

The 2012-13 season finally comes to an end this weekend but not before our Mixed team attempts to win the EHB Mixed Trophy for a second time – the last occasion being back in 2004 at Bowdon HC on the outskirts of Manchester.

After their splendid 4-1 quarter-final victory over Deeside Ramblers captain Leigh Sitch and his team take on West Herts this coming Saturday (1.30) in the semis at Beeston HC with the 3rd/4th place match (1.30) and final (3.30) being held at the same club on Sunday. In the other semi Phoenix (regular opponents of Magpies over the years) are up against Cannock.

When we conceded the goal against Deeside Ramblers in the 11th minute (by which time we were already three up!) it was the first time that goalkeeper Rees Leonard had been beaten in 291 minutes for the team this season and even then he was blameless. I was told that Messrs Sitch and Bedwell were at fault but as I was too far away from the action to see properly I would not wish to spread what must surely be an unfair rumour!

Good luck to our team which is as follows – Lauren Barber, Andrew Bedwell, Sarah Brook, Lizzie Clymer, Tom Graham, Simon Hipwell, Richard Larkin, Rees Leonard, Sarah Legg, Sam Moore, Katherine Ridley, Leigh Sitch, Alex Slater, Frances Taylor, Katrina Warnes, Lucy Whiting. For Sarah Brook and Katherine Ridley this will be, remarkably, their third national finals of the season!

Back to 2004. After beating Phoenix 6-3 in the semis with goals by David Francis, Emma Lee-Smith (2), Tim Whiteman (2) and Gavin Cole the team, captained jointly by Charlie Harrison and David Francis, went on to beat Birmingham University 5-0 in the final. The game was goalless at half time and I remember thinking I would be happy with a 1-0 win. But after Iain Cumming made the vital breakthrough hammering in a penalty corner the goals flowed with Tim adding a second before Emma scored the third. Phil Cobbald then scored with a fierce shot from the edge of the circle before Tim rounded off an excellent personal performance with a deft deflection. The other members of the triumphant squad were Charlotte Lee-Smith, Donna Causton, Debbie McAllen, Tristan Baynes, Becky Lee-Smith, Angie Banham, Andy Magee, Lawrence Baynes, Louisa Greenacre and Colin Wheelhouse (manager).

I cannot let the retirement of Tuen de Nooijer pass without paying my own tribute to this fine player who during a remarkably successful career played over 400 games for Holland winning, among many other honours, two Olympic Golds, two Olympic Silvers, World Cup and European Gold and was three times voted World Player of the Year. With his stickwork, positional sense, ability to give and take a pass at speed, 200 international goals, sportsmanship and graceful running he was quite easily the   best player I have ever seen and perhaps the best player ever to have played our sport. I was lucky enough to see him play many times for Holland and HC Bloemendaal and it was fitting in his last game he helped his club to more European Hockey League glory. He will be missed.

Other comments in brief

a) I apologise to George Hunter for omitting to thank him in the last Musings for the excellent work he did in preparing the grass pitches for the May Day Tournament.

b) It is also ‘thank you’ to John Pestell for his hard work as clubhouse manager. John has decided to stand down after a year in the post but it is good to know he intends to continue with his much appreciated umpiring.

c) The Ladies’ 1sts, as defending East Conference champions, start their 2013-14 campaign on Saturday 14 September away to St Albans.

Friendly reminders (please see website for more details)

a) ‘Deep Dig’ and Rush Hockey (Sunday 9 June), b) AGM  (Thursday 20 June – 7.30pm, c) Roy and Rosie Goodwin’s Charity Music Day ‘sylehambury IV’ in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance (Saturday 22 June), d) Strawberry Luncheon (Sunday 30 June) and e) Bar Steward vacancy.

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With kind regards

Mike Denham

[email protected]

3/6/13

 

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